Freeform Encounter Selection Tool

ABSTRACT

A freeform selection tool for a computer system with a graphical user interface allows a user to draw a freeform selection path so as to select one or more graphical objects. The user is provided with the freedom to input selection ink, in any orientation, and using any desired selection path size provided by the select tool. The selecting tool may change the visual appearance of any graphical object once selected. The selecting tool provides the ability to select ink or graphical object with a particular property to be used for the selection. The selecting tool can recognize various selection gestures coordinated with a semantic relationship of the ink so that the number of selection ink strokes can be minimized. The selecting tool may change for different selection modes depending on the type of graphical object encountered and change of the context for a particular selection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed generally to systems andmethods for controlling a graphical user interface (GUI). Specifically,aspects of the present invention relate to providing systems and methodsto allow users to select and manipulate electronic or digital ink.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Graphical user interfaces have created a revolution in the field ofcomputers. Instead of having to memorize arcane commands, the user cannow manipulate software applications by controlling graphical objectsrepresenting their various functions and components. Conventionalcomputer systems, especially computer systems using graphical userinterface (GUI) systems, accept user input from one or more discreteinput devices, such as a keyboard for entering text, and a pointingdevice, such as a mouse with one or more buttons, for operating the userinterface. The keyboard and mouse interface provides for creation andmodification of documents, spreadsheets, database fields, drawings,photos and the like. This GUI has proven effective, but a new step inthe evolution of computing has revealed several drawbacks to existingGUIs.

Specifically, the introduction of pen-based computing devices haschanged the way individuals view the GUI, and the manner in which usersinteract with their computers. Some pen-based computing devices, includea personal data assistant (PDA) or the Tablet PC. While there are anumber of designs, a pen-based computing device is generally interactedby user by way of a physical writable surface and a writing implement.The writable surface may be a display surface or a writing pad. Ratherthan a standard keyboard or mouse interface, the navigation and controlof the GUI occurs via the writing implement. While pen-based computingdevices have been helpful, the transition to a computer-based inkingarrangement may prove difficult indeed. This new approach to userinterfaces has revealed problems and deficiencies in the traditional GUIdescribed above. Examples of these problems will be discussed below.

One common use of computers and GUIs is to generate and edit electronicdocuments. These electronic documents can contain text (e.g., electronicword processors) and/or images (e.g., pictures), which are displayed onthe user's screen for editing. However, in a pen-based computingenvironment, users may attempt to use text-based techniques forselecting objects. These text-based techniques are restrictive and canbe counterintuitive for working in a pen-based computer environment.

The selection in text systems is based on the placement of an insertionpoint in the document. A mouse input device is used for pointing andselecting objects. For example, the user typically uses the mouse tomove an onscreen pointer to the desired characters, and presses a buttonon the mouse for an insertion point. Then the user drags the pointerover characters to select them. The selection of the particularcharacter may be reflected in a change in its appearance. For example,electronic word processing programs may display in black on a whitebackground. The text may be arranged automatically in uniform rows oftext across the user's screen, where the rows of text are assigned apredefined height based on user-defined settings (e.g., the use of 12pt. font, the line spacing, etc.). Upon selecting these words theselected text may be given a white color, and the rectangular areainhabited by the text in the row may be given a black background thatserves as a blocked selection highlight, identifying the selected text.The black blocked selection highlight occupies the entire row height,and serves to differentiate the selected text from the non-selectedtext.

Although this previous approach to highlighting text works in therestricted uniform, line-by-line environment of traditional wordprocessors, this approach is undesirable in other environments thatallow a greater degree of freedom movement and expression, such aspen-based computing devices. For example, in systems where the text ishandwritten ink (e.g., on a personal data assistant using atouch-sensitive screen or a Tablet), the user is permitted to write textabove, below, and at other angles to any such regimented lines. Thelines are often not present on a writing surface. In the freeformenvironment, the ink is placed on the writing surface in non-uniformpatterns and irregular patterns. Users may write and sketch on the sameelectronic page and/or annotate ink sketches. As a result, thehandwritten ink characters and sketches are not in straight lines, evenif the guide lines are present. The “blocked” approach discussed abovedoes not allow for efficient selecting irregular non-uniform patterns ofhandwritten ink, non-ink graphical objects, and/or ink sketches. As aresult, the blocked approach in a handwritten environment results inconfusion as to what is actually selected, selecting the wrong objects,imprecision and inefficiency for the user.

Notwithstanding the drawbacks of “block selection” techniques ofconventional word processing programs and the like, various tools havebeen developed to assist a user in selecting specific graphical objectsfor manipulation. For instances, some software applications allow a userto form a “rubber band” rectangle around one or more adjacent graphicalobjects. With this rubber band rectangle tool, a user activates theselection function, places a cursor at a first location, and then dragsthe cursor to a second location. As the cursor is being dragged, thetool forms a rectangular selection box with the first location of thecursor and the current location of the cursor as opposite vertices ofthe selection box. By continuing to drag the cursor, a user can changethe dimensions of the selection box to encompass one or more graphicalobjects. When the user releases the selection function, the graphicalobjects completely encompassed by the selection box are selected forsubsequent manipulation.

While this type of selection tool provides some ability for a user toselect individual graphical objects, this tool has several drawbacks.First, the tool forms a single rectangular selection area. In manycases, a user may wish to select multiple graphical objects that cannotbe bounded by a single rectangular selection box without that box alsoencompassing graphical objects that the user does not wish to select.This maybe a particularly significant drawback when the graphicalobjects are handwritten words is irregular pattern and a user may wantto simultaneously select words forming sentences that do not alwaysstart or end beginning or end of a line. Additionally, the singlerectangular approach goes around an object akin to a surround selectapproach. This approach can be counterintuitive for working in apen-based computer environment and may create barriers to adoption ofpen-based computing systems.

Second, in order to select a graphical object, the selection box mustcompletely encompass that object. If a user is working quickly, the usermay inadvertently form a selection box that does not entirely encompassa desired graphical object, even if the box borders hits the graphicalobject. When the user then releases the selection function, the desiredobject may not always be selected. Some alternate arrangements of thistool require the selection box to encompass only a designated center ofa graphical object, but the user may still encircle a large portion of adesired object without actually selecting that object. Third, the natureof handwritten ink can render a rectangular selection tool problematicand ineffective. For example, handwritten ink characters can haveascenders and descenders from individual letters that may overlap oneach other when the ink is on a particular page. As a result, theoverlapping nature of the handwritten ink can make it difficult toselect a particular line of handwriting with a rectangular selectiontool. Thus, the use of this tool requires an inconvenient amount ofprecision from the user and can be inefficient.

In some existing systems, a drag selection approach, akin to holdingdown a mouse button and dragging to select text in a text editor mayselect large areas of blank space (i.e., white space) on the page. Whenthis selected text is cut and pasted (using standard computer-based textediting techniques), the large volume of selected blank space mayproduce an unintended and surprising result. This result iscounterintuitive to the average computer user because conventional textediting systems work differently. The unfamiliar operation of apen-based system compared to known text based systems creates barriersto adoption of pen-based computing systems.

Accordingly, there is a need for a selection tool that will allow a userto conveniently select one or more graphical objects in their entirety,without requiring an inconvenient amount of precision from the user andprovide a significant degree of freedom for selection. Further, there isa need for a selection tool that can be flexibly used to select agraphical objects that are not arranged in a straight line for freeformenvironments, and which indicates to the user when one or more objectsactually are selected during the selection process.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention pertain to an encounter select tool,which allows a user to create a freeform path in a graphical environmentto as to select one or more graphical objects. Thus, overcoming one ormore problems in previous systems.

As the user drags a pen, a freeform selection path is created so thatthe encounter select tool selects graphical objects that areencountered. In one aspect, a user is enabled to drag a pen to selectink in a freeform graphical environment. In one aspect, an encounterselect tool enables a user to draw a freeform line of selection ink soas to select one or more graphical objects, such as ink objects ornon-ink objects. The user is provided with the freedom to inputselection ink, in any orientation, and using any desired selection inkstroke size provided by the encounter select tool. In another aspect,the encounter select tool may change the visual appearance of anygraphical object once selected. In one aspect, the encounter select toolmay give a selected ink object in a hollow appearance or halo for visualuser feedback.

In one aspect, the encounter select tool allows a user to select inkhaving a particular property. In this way, the encounter select tool mayenable the user to only select the ink with a particular property, whileleaving the remainder of the ink intact, e.g. non-selected. In one case,the encounter select tool provides the ability to select the color ofink or graphical object to be used for the selection. In another aspect,the encounter select tool can recognize various selection gesturescoordinated with a semantic relationship of the ink so that the numberof selection ink strokes can be minimized. In further aspects, theencounter select tool may change for different selection modes dependingon the type of graphical object encountered and change of the contextfor a particular selection. In a further aspect, the encounter selecttool enables discontinuous selections of graphical objects using aselection path and/or selected ink. Thus, the user is provided with anintuitive encountering select tool for dragging a pen to an object toselect a graphical object.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent and fully understood from thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way oflimitation with regard to the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose digitalcomputing environment in which aspects of the present invention may beimplemented.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a pen-based personal computing (PC)environment in which aspects of the present invention may beimplemented.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example encounter select tool inaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of selected graphicalobjects with an encounter select tool according to aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of selected graphicalobjects with an encounter select tool according to aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an encounter select tool according toaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an encounter select tool according toaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an encounter select tool according toaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing the operation of the encounter selecttools shown in FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of selected graphicalobject with a single selection stroke of an encounter select toolaccording to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an example of selected graphicalobjects with multiple selection strokes of an encounter select tool in aunion select mode according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is divided into sub-sections to assist thereader. The sub-sections include: Terms, Overview, IllustrativeOperating Environment, Use of the Encounter Select Tool, The EncounterSelect Tool, and Summarization.

Terms

As used herein the term “stroke” refers to a sequence or set of capturedpoints. For example, when rendered, the sequence of points may beconnected with lines. Alternatively, a stroke may be represented as apoint and a vector in the direction of the next point. In short, astroke is intended to encompass any representation of points or segmentsrelating to ink, irrespective of the underlying representation of pointsand/or what connects the points.

As used herein the term “ink” refers to a sequence or a set ofhandwritten strokes. The strokes may be for characters and/or sketches.The strokes may be combined with one or more properties.

As used herein the term “selection ink” refers ink that is intended forchoosing a particular graphical object for manipulation. For example,the selection ink may be combined with one or more properties and may bepresented visually or not shown. The selection ink can be invisible, buta selection path may include the selection ink.

As used herein the term “point” refers to information defining alocation in predefined space. For example, a point may be definedrelative to a capturing space (for example, points on a digitizer)and/or a display space (the points or pixels of a display device).Points may be represented using a variety of known techniques includingtwo dimensional Cartesian coordinates (X, Y), polar coordinates, threedimensional coordinates, and other techniques as known in the art.

As used herein the term “ink word” refers to one or more handwrittenstrokes. Each stroke in an ink word has a location associated with thestroke.

As used herein the terms “text word” or “text” refers tomachine-generated text. Text words may be introduced into the systems ofthe invention in any suitable manner, such as by an input device (e.g.,a keyboard), by downloading (e.g., from memory or a network connection),by selecting from a menu, or from input ink words converted tomachine-generated text via handwriting recognition software.

As used herein the term “gesture” refers to a movement of a stylus orpen that is for commanding or controlling the functionality of asoftware program or a computer as opposed to applying ink forcharacters.

Overview

Examples of the present invention relate to systems and methods forselecting and manipulating electronic or digital ink. In severalaspects, a user is provided with “drag to select” features for ink. Inone aspect, the encounter select tool of the present invention allows auser to drag a tip of a stylus to form a freeform line of selection inkin order to select one or more graphical objects for manipulation orother operation. As the user draws this freeform selection line, theencounter select tool selects graphical objects that are “touched” bythe selection ink. This selection ink thus graphically demonstrates tothe user the graphical objects for selection. Therefore, the encounterselect tool does not have the limitations of a box or rectangle whichare bound to lines in text-based systems. The user is provided with thefreedom to select graphical objects in any orientation, and using anydesired selection ink stroke size provided by the encounter select tool.Thus, the encounter select tool of the present invention provides aconvenient intuitive selection tool for irregularly shaped objects, suchas ink objects. Further, the tool conveniently allows for the selectionof irregularly or dispersed positioned objects, such as objects that arenot arranged in a straight line. Thus, there is no need for an insertionpoint as in text systems.

In another aspect, the encounter select tool may change the visualappearance of any graphical object once selected. For example, theencounter select tool may give a selected ink object a hollow appearanceor halo appearance for visual user feedback. In a further aspect, theencounter select tool may provide the ability to select the color of inkto be used for the selection. For example, a user may have written inkin different colors, such a red color for editing or annotation in inkof a document. In this example, the encounter select tool enables theuser to only select the red color ink, while leaving the remainder ofthe ink intact. In another aspect, the encounter select tool canrecognize various selection gestures coordinated with a semanticrelationship of the ink so that the number of selection ink strokes canbe minimized. In further aspects, the encounter select tool may changefor different selection modes depending on the type of graphical objectencountered and change of the context for a particular selection.

Illustrative Operating Environment

Aspects of the encounter select tool of the present invention may bedescribed in the general context of computer-executable instructions,such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. Typically the functionality ofthe program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in variousembodiments. As noted above, the present invention relates to theselection of graphical objects displayed by a computer system.Accordingly, it may be helpful for a better understanding of theinvention to briefly discuss the components and operation of a generalpurpose computing environment on which various embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented. Such an exemplary computer systemis illustrated in FIG. 1.

Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an illustrativegeneral-purpose digital computing environment that may be used toimplement various aspects of the present invention. In FIG. 1, acomputer 100 includes a processing unit 110, a system memory 120, and asystem bus 130 that couples various system components including thesystem memory to the processing unit 110. The system bus 130 may be anyof several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. The system memory 120 includes read only memory (ROM)140 and random access memory (RAM) 150.

A basic input/output system 160 (BIOS), containing the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer100, such as during start-up, is stored in the ROM 140. The computer 100also includes a hard disk drive 170 for reading from and writing to ahard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive 180 for reading from orwriting to a removable magnetic disk 190, and an optical disk drive 191for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 192, such as aCD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive 170, magnetic diskdrive 180, and optical disk drive 191 are connected to the system bus130 by a hard disk drive interface 192, a magnetic disk drive interface193, and an optical disk drive interface 194, respectively. The drivesand their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storageof computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, andother data for the personal computer 100. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of computer readable mediathat may store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoullicartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs),and the like, may also be used in the example operating environment.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk drive 170,magnetic disk 190, optical disk 192, ROM 140, or RAM 150, including anoperating system 195, one or more application programs 196, otherprogram modules 197, and program data 198. A user may enter commands andinformation into the computer 100 through input devices, such as akeyboard 101 and a pointing device 102. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,or the like. These and other input devices often are connected to theprocessing unit 110 through a serial port interface 106 that is coupledto the system bus 130, but may be connected by other interfaces, such asa parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). Furtherstill, these devices may be coupled directly to the system bus 130 viaan appropriate interface (not shown). A monitor 107 or other type ofdisplay device is also connected to the system bus 130 via an interface,such as a video adapter 108.

In addition to the monitor 107, personal computers typically includeother peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers andprinters. As one example, a pen digitizer 165 and accompanying pen oruser input device 166 are provided in order to digitally capturefreehand input. The pen digitizer 165 may be coupled to the processingunit 110 via the serial port interface 106 and the system bus 130, asshown in FIG. 1, or through any other suitable connection. Furthermore,although the digitizer 165 is shown apart from the monitor 107, theusable input area of the digitizer 165 may be co-extensive with thedisplay area of the monitor 107. Further still, the digitizer 165 may beintegrated in the monitor 107, or may exist as a separate deviceoverlaying or otherwise appended to the monitor 107.

The computer 100 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer109. The remote computer 109 may be a server, a router, a network PC, apeer device, or other common network node, and typically includes manyor all of the elements described above relative to the computer 100,although only a memory storage device 111 with related applicationsprograms 196 have been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connectionsdepicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 112 and a widearea network (WAN) 113. Such networking environments are commonplace inoffices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 100 is connectedto the local network 112 through a network interface or adapter 114.When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal computer 100typically includes a modem 115 or other means for establishing acommunications link over the wide area network 113, e.g., to theInternet. The modem 115, which may be internal or external, is connectedto the system bus 130 via the serial port interface 106. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer100, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storagedevice.

It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplaryand other techniques for establishing a communications link between thecomputers may be used. The existence of any of various well-knownprotocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed,and the system may be operated in a client-server configuration topermit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. Any ofvarious conventional web browsers may be used to display and manipulatedata on web pages.

FIG. 2 illustrates an illustrative pen-based computing system 201 thatmay be used in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.Any or all of the features, subsystems, and functions in the system ofFIG. 1 may be included in the computer of FIG. 2. Pen-based computingsystem 201 includes a display surface 202, e.g. a digitizing flat paneldisplay, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, on which aplurality of windows 203 is displayed. Using stylus 204, a user mayselect, highlight, and/or write on the digitizing display surface 202.Examples of suitable digitizing display surfaces 202 includeelectromagnetic pen digitizers, such as Mutoh or Wacom pen digitizers.Other types of pen digitizers, e.g., optical digitizers, may also beused. Pen-based computing system 201 interprets gestures made usingstylus 204 in order to manipulate data, enter text, create drawings,and/or execute conventional computer application tasks, such asspreadsheets, word processing programs, and the like.

The stylus 204 may be equipped with one or more buttons or otherfeatures to augment its selection capabilities. In one example, thestylus 204 may be implemented as a “pencil” or “pen,” in which one endconstitutes a writing element and the other end constitutes an “eraser”end, and which, when moved across the display, indicates portions of thedisplay to be erased. Other types of input devices, such as a mouse,trackball, or the like may be used. Additionally, a user's own fingermay be the stylus 204 and used for selecting or indicating portions ofthe displayed image on a touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive display.Consequently, the term “user input device,” as used herein, is intendedto have a broad definition and encompasses many variations on well-knowninput devices, such as the stylus 204.

Use of the Encounter Select Tool

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example use of the encounter select tool.More particularly, these figures illustrate the use of the encounterselect tool to select freeform handwritten ink notes 300 in atwo-dimensional space of a user interface rendered on display surface202 of pen-based computer system 201. The notes 300 are made up of inkword graphical objects, such as the word object 302 (“Rich”), the wordobject 304 (“is”), and the word object 306 (“going”). It will beappreciated that ink word graphical objects 302, 304 and 306 are madefrom strokes of ink on a pen down action, which may be stylus 204contacting the display surface 202, the click of a stylus or mousebutton, the operation of a button on a trackball or joystick, or thelike. The user controls an input device (such as stylus 204) and theresulting ink strokes may continue until a pen-up action. The pen upaction may be the lifting of the stylus 204 off the display surface 204,releasing or another operation of a stylus or mouse button, or theoperation of the button (or other buttons) on the trackball or joystickor the like. Nevertheless, anything appearing on a graphical userinterface may be considered to be a graphical object which can be usedby the encounter select tool, e.g., ink and non-ink. Other types ofgraphical objects include but are not limited to graphical icons,images, symbols, and text. Graphical objects may be drawn, or rendered,using any color or pattern value (e.g., hatched, shaded, a series ofcolors, etc.), and may be drawn on a background of a different color orpattern. In the FIG. 3 example, the background is a simple solid whitebackground, but any other color and/or pattern may be used as thebackground. The background may also be comprised of one or more othergraphical objects.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, to begin a selection operation, theuser chooses the encounter select tool or encounter select mode from amenu of one or more available tools or modes. Nevertheless, the tool ormode may be invoked by button in hardware, software, or on the stylus204. Further, the tool or mode may be started by a predetermined gestureof the stylus 204 operative on a display or in the air. The user thencontacts a stylus 204 to a desired location on the display surface 202,e.g. a pen-down action for selection ink. Contacting the stylus 204 withthe digitizing display 202 creates the starting point 400 a of selectionink path 400. To draw the selection ink path 400, the user continues tohold the stylus 204 against the digitizing display 202 while draggingthe point of the stylus 204 across the display 202 towards or over thedesired selection. Accordingly, selection ink is laid down so as totouch the ink word graphical objects, such as the word object 302(“Rich”), the word object 304 (“is”), and the word object 306 (“going”).In this manner, any graphical objects in the path 400 will be selected.It will be appreciated that the user is provided with the freedom toinput selection ink, in any orientation, and using any desired selectionink stroke size provided by the encounter select tool. While selectionink is shown, the user may alternatively “tap” the desired ink wordobjects with the tip of the stylus 204 to make a selection.

As seen in FIG. 3, the selection ink path 400 does not fully encompassink word 302 (“Rich”) in that a portion of the “R” is outside of theselection ink 400 thickness or vertical bounds. Likewise, ink word 306(“going”) is also not fully enclosed in that the last “g” is somewhatoutside the vertical bounds of the selection ink path 400. While theselection ink path is not completely enclosing the ink words 302 and306, the user has intended to select these ink words 302 and 306.Accordingly, in both cases, ink word 302 and ink word 306 are selectedby being encountered by the selection path ink 400. Advantageously, theencounter select tool provides the user with enhanced selection control.In this manner, high precision required in the selection of graphicalobjects in past systems is reduced or eliminated.

With various aspects of the encounter select tool of the presentinvention, the tool may change the appearance of a graphical object inthe two-dimensional space rendered by the display surface 202 when thatobject is selected. Turning to FIG. 4, it can be seen that, theelectronic ink in the word object 302 (“Rich”), the word object 304(“is”), and the word object 306 (“going”) is displayed with a hollowappearance or halo appearance when those objects have been selected.There are several advantages to a change in appearance of the wordobjects. For example, the change of appearance conveniently providesfeedback to the user to reliably determine whether an object (orobjects) has been selected. The change in appearance may occur in realtime as the selection ink is being laid down by the stylus 204.Alternatively, after the selection ink is applied, the user may lift thestylus 204 from the display surface 204 so that a change in appearanceon the objects may occur on a pen up action from the selection ink. Withother aspects of the present invention, the selection ink path 400 maydisappear, but the selected objects will continue to be displayed in avisually distinctive manner (for example, with a hollow effect) toindicate its selection. Still further, the selection ink path 400 maynot be displayed, the change in appearance of the objects may occur. Ofcourse, still other aspects of the invention may maintain the appearanceof the selection ink. In one aspect, the color of the selection ink maychange to the color value of the last encountered ink word for selectionfeedback. While the illustrated aspects of the present inventionprovides selected ink objects a hollow appearance, it will be appreciatethat other suitable techniques may be used to indicate when an objecthas been selected with the selection ink, including bolding, coloring,highlighting, underlining or blinking.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another use of the encounter select toolaccording to aspects of the invention. In a further aspect, graphicalhandles 410 may be used to indicate the vertical bounds of the selectionink path 400 and the starting point 400 a and ending point 400 b of theselection ink path 400. There are several advantages to the use ofgraphical handles 410. For example, the handles 410 may indicate thatthe encounter selection tool is active as opposed to just a highlightingink, which may merely be present on a page. This feature can thus avoidconfusion between different modes of using the stylus 204 and providespositive feedback to the user. As noted above, the ink words intersectedby the selection ink path 400 or otherwise encountered by the encounterselect tool may change visual appearance. As seen in FIG. 5, ink word302 (“Rich”) and ink word 304 (“is”) have a different appearance thanthe selection ink 400 and the other unselected ink words.

While the selection ink path 400 shown in FIGS. 3-5 have been shown asdrawn with a stylus 204 on digitizing display 202, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that other techniques can be used toemploy the encounter select tool as embodied in the various aspects ofthe invention. For example, another pointing device, such as a mouse,touchpad, or pointing stick, can be used to draw the path of theselection ink 400 in the two-dimensional space containing the desiredgraphical objects to be selected. Further, with the use of alternatepointing devices, a non-digitizing display may be used to render thetwo-dimensional space containing the selection line and the graphicalobjects to be selected.

The Encounter Select Tool

FIG. 6 illustrates the components of an encounter select tool 500according to one or more aspects of the invention. As previously noted,the encounter select tools of the present invention may be described inthe context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules/components, executed by one or more computers or other devices.Accordingly, the encounter select tool 500 includes a user interfacecomponent 502, and a hit detection component 504. The function of eachof these components will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9,which illustrate the operation of the encounter selection tool 500. Asseen in FIG. 9, the user starts the operation of the encounter selecttool 500 in step 800. The user may, for example, choose the encounterselect tool 500 from a list of various tools and functions.

As will be appreciated, the user interface component 502 provides a userinterface in a two-dimensional space rendered by a display. Thistwo-dimensional space contains the graphical objects that can beselected by the encounter select tool 500, and may be, for example, aworkspace containing the user interface of another software application,such as Microsoft WORD®. The user interface component 502 allows a userto both write selection ink and view the results of the selectionprocess in the two-dimensional space. Accordingly, in step 802, the userinterface component 502 may collect selection ink drawn by a user toform the selection ink path 400 (see FIGS. 3-5) and provides hitdetection component 504 with the selection ink. Based upon the collectedselection ink, the user interface component 502 displays the selectionink path 400 drawn with the selection ink in the two-dimensional space.

The hit detection component 504 receives the selection ink collected bythe user interface component 502, and, in step 804, determines whether agraphical object, such as an ink stroke has been encountered by theselection ink. Hit detection component 504 may include varioustechniques for detecting a stroke of ink. As previously noted, eachstroke comprises ink with a set of captured points. In two-dimensionalspace, x-y Cartesian coordinates of the strokes may intersect the pointsof the selection ink for one to one correspondence of the points.Alternatively, the hit detection component 504 may have a presettolerance value coordinated with a distance from the selection ink. Thistolerance value may be a few or more pixels to reduce high precision ofselection of the strokes.

In one aspect, the hit detection component 504 may be configured to“hit” only ink strokes having a particular ink property, such as aparticular color on the display surface 202. In one aspect, a first inkword object can have a first color value and a second ink word objectcan have a second color value, that is different from the first colorvalue. The encounter select tool 500 with hit detection component 504may only select first ink word object with the first color valueregardless whether the second ink word object is in the selection inkpath. For example, a user may have written ink in different colors, suchas a red color for editing or annotation in ink of a document composedin ink or a document of text and ink. The user would move the stylus 204across the desired area. The encounter select tool 500 enables the userto only select the red color ink, while leaving the remainder of the inkor text intact. Since the ink may have preset color values, theselectable color property of the encounter selection tool 500 may beaccomplished with hit detection component 504 programmed to recognize aparticular color value of the ink. It be will appreciated that objectswill generally be determined to have intersected the selection ink pathor almost within a tolerance value, then the color value of the objectwill be compared to the predetermined color value for the encounterselection tool 500. Nevertheless, the encounter select tool may beconfigured to select ink strokes that has a particular property, inwhich the color value is just one example of an implementation. Theother properties may include thickness of strokes, bold, italics, inkcreated by a particular user, and the like.

In step 806, the encountered objects may be added to the selection asthe selection ink is laid down or after a pen-up action of the stylus.The user interface component 502 can then change the appearance of theobjects to provide a visual feedback indicating a selection of theobjects by the encounter select tool 500. On the hand, once an objecthas been selected, a user can also remove the object from the selectionor dismiss/clear the entire selection of objects. For example, in step810, the user can double back or shorten the selection ink path 400 (seeFIG. 3) to exclude the desired object from the selection ink path 400.Alternatively, the entire selection of objects may be dismissed by apen-up action and downwardly tapping the tip of the stylus 204 in any ofthe display surface not composed of ink, e.g. a white space. It will beappreciated that encounter select tool 500 may select non-ink object aswell. For example, dragging the stylus 204 through an image object withselection ink can cause it to be selected by the tool 500.Alternatively, the image object could be selected with a tap of thestylus on the display surface 202.

In step 812, once the graphical objects have been selected with theencounter select tool 500, the user can manipulate the objects for anydesired operation. For example, the objects can be move to anotherlocation on the display surface, deleted, cut and pasted betweenapplications, operations, and the like. In step 814, the encounterselect tool 500 or encounter select mode is deactivated by the user.

FIG. 6 illustrates the components of an encounter select tool 600according to one aspect of the invention. The encounter select tool 600may include a user interface component 602, a hit detection component604, and ink recognizer component 608. User interface component 602includes the same functions has user interface component 502. Hitdetection component 604 includes the same functions as hit detectioncomponent 504 and includes other functions according to the presentinvention. Ink recognizer component 608 receives the ink strokes andclassifies the ink strokes for classification into a hierarchicalstructure reflecting a semantic relationship of the ink. For example,this semantic relationship of ink strokes within ink environment can bedetermined at an ink stroke level, an ink word level, an ink line level,or an ink paragraph level.

Once the ink strokes are collected, user interface component 602 maysend the ink to hit detection component 604. Ink recognizer component608 recognizes ink strokes made by a user or other method. In one case,the various semantics of the ink relationship can be determined prior toa selection ink path being applied to the display. Hit detectioncomponent 604 is configurable via software control to receive theappropriate data for an ink classification mode. In other words, the hitdetection component 602 may encounter the handwritten ink via an inkword level, an ink line level, or an ink paragraph level, rather thanjust the ink stroke level. For example, if a selection path ink contactsany part of an ink word, then the entire ink word can be selected. Thebenefits of this type of hit detection are more apparent as implementedfor ink paragraphs. In one case, if a diagonal selection ink path isapplied though the corners of the ink paragraph, the entire paragraphbecomes hit or selected. Alternatively, if a vertical selection ink pathis applied through an ink paragraph, the entire paragraph may beselected. As can be appreciated this type of functionality hassignificant advantages. First, there is a time savings and improved userefficiency, because a small quantity of selection ink strokes are used.It is possible to only have a single selection ink stroke to select anink paragraph. Accordingly, the user can quickly apply the selection inkpath over the desired ink word or ink paragraph. Second, there isimproved usability and flexibility of pen-based computing system 201,because of the intuitive nature of using selection ink strokes toapproximate a pen and paper experience. Nevertheless, after detection ofthe ink words, ink paragraphs, or ink lines, the hit detection componentcan inform user selection component 702 of the selection and change theappearance, accordingly.

FIG. 8 illustrates the components of an encounter select tool 700according to one aspect of the invention. The encounter select tool 700may include a user interface component 702, a hit detection component704, and a context recognizer component 708. User interface component702 includes the same functions as user interface component 702. Hitdetection component 704 includes the same functions as hit detectioncomponent 504 and includes other functions according to the presentinvention. Context recognizer component 708 enables the encounter selecttool 700 to recognize the different ink and non-ink objects in a displaysurface 202 (see FIGS. 3-5).

Once the selection ink strokes are collected, user interface component702 sends the selection ink to hit detection component 704. Contextrecognizer component 708 recognizes the previous ink strokes and non-inkdata. For example, a display surface 202 may include graphical objectsin ink, images, or text. Context recognizer 708 by scanning the displaysurface may classify the each type of graphical object. For theencounter select tool 700, hit detection component 702 may beconfigurable via software control to receive the appropriate data for acontext mode. In such a case, the hit detection component 704 canencounter the handwritten ink, the images and text and then a graphicalchange may occur to the selection tool. For example, if text isencountered, the selection tool may transform into a familiar textcursor for line by line selection for text editing. This type oftransformation based on the context of the graphical object may bebeneficial for user transitioning to a pen-based computing environment.The user may be familiar with a text cursor for a text editor and wantto use this type of selection until they are ready for a differentselection approach.

In the various aspects of the present invention, encounter select tool500, 600, 700 with hit detection component 502, 602, 702, respectively,enables multiple graphical objects to be selected by being hit orcontacted by the selection ink on the display surface 202. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the encounter select tool 500, 600 and 700 isused to select freeform handwritten ink notes 310 in a two-dimensionalspace of a user interface rendered on display surface 202 of pen-basedcomputing system 201. Purely way be of example, the notes 310 are madeup of ink word graphical objects which comprise “Rich is going to takecare of latte for our lunch meeting. Call to check.” A single continuousselection ink path 420 is drawn or dragged in a freeform irregularcurving pattern (meandering) which encounters the desired ink wordgraphical objects of the notes 310. In this manner, as long as theselection mode is active, the ink word objects will be selected forlater manipulation or other operation.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the encounter selection tool 500,600, and 700 may provide for a union select mode. The union selectenables a user to selection additional graphical objects for differentselection paths, e.g. paths having a start and end or a tap on agraphical object. For example, to select multiple ink word objects atdiverse locations on the display surface 202, a user can drag separateselection ink strokes through the objects. To begin a union selectionoperation, the encounter select tool 500, 600, 700 is placed in unionselect mode. The union select mode can be invoked in a number of ways.For example, a gesture of the stylus 204 of pen-based computing system201 can be used. FIG. 11 shows three selection ink paths unconnectedfrom each other that were created during the union select mode—a firstselection ink stroke 430, a second selection ink stroke 432, and a thirdselection ink stoke 434. The ink word graphical objects are thus addedto the previous selection. Further, the union select mode enables a userto tap a graphical object with the stylus 204 so that new elements orobjects are added to a previous selection. In this manner, a user canadd or extend a selection in the freeform environment for flexibility ofoperation.

In other aspects, the encounter select tool 500, 600, and 700 may storethe order of sequential selection of the graphical objects. This featuremay be applied to any operation for which an order relationship betweenthe objects can be used for input. For example, the order of the objectsselected can be used for an automatic numbering list of object. Inanother example, the order of the ink work objects selected by theencounter selection tool may be used in an ink-to-text conversionoperation.

In another aspect, encounter select tool 500, 600, and 700 may selectgraphical objects in a three-dimensionally rendered work space. It willbe appreciated that the display surface 202 can be modeled as atwo-dimensional plane with X-Y coordinates and can be mapped for az-coordinate variable to form a three-dimensional space. In thisarrangement, display surface 202 is configured as pressure sensitive sothat the movement of ink and selection ink can adjusted in thez-coordinate direction for depth. A light pressure stroke of the stylus204 tip against the display surface 202 has less depth than a heavypressure stroke. Nonetheless, encounter select tool 500, 600, 700 hasthe same functionally in the three-dimensional arrangement.

Summarization

As apparent from the foregoing description, the encounter select tool ofthe present invention provides a flexible and convenient tool forselecting graphical objects. As the user draws this freeform selectionpath, the encounter select tool selects graphical objects that areencountered by the path. In another aspect, the encounter select toolmay change the visual appearance of any graphical object for visual userfeedback once selected. Thus, the encounter select tool of the presentinvention provides a convenient selection tool for irregularly shapedobjects, such as ink objects. Further, the tool conveniently allows forthe selection of irregularly positioned objects, such as objects thatare not always arranged in a straight line. In a further aspect, theencounter select tool provides the ability to select the ink having aparticular property. In another aspect, the encounter select tool canrecognize various selection gestures coordinated with a semanticrelationship of the ink. In further aspects, the encounter select toolmay change for different selection modes depending on the type ofgraphical object encountered and change of the context for a particularselection.

Accordingly, there are any number of alternative combinations fordefining the invention, which incorporate one or more elements from thespecification, including the description, claims, and drawings, invarious combinations or sub combinations. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant technology, in light of the presentspecification, that alternate combinations of aspects of the invention,either alone or in combination with one or more elements or stepsdefined herein, may be utilized as modifications or alterations of theinvention or as part of the invention. It may be intended that thewritten description of the invention contained herein covers all suchmodifications and alterations.

1-44. (canceled)
 45. A freeform selection tool for a computer system, comprising: a user interface module for collecting points for a freeform selection path and displaying a selection of a plurality of graphical objects based upon the freeform selection path on a display surface wherein the freeform selection path comprises selection ink and the graphical objects comprises handwritten ink strokes; and an encounter selection module for selecting the graphical objects responsive to the freeform selection path; wherein the user interface module displays a graphical hollow appearance for the plurality of graphical objects responsive the freeform selection path for each graphical object selected by the encounter selection modules the graphical hollow appearance comprising a perimeter of the handwritten ink strokes having a dark contrast with respect to an interior of the strokes bounded by the perimeter.
 46. The freeform selection tool in accordance with claim 45, in which the encounter selection module includes an ink classification mode for classify the plurality of graphical objects into a semantical ink structure.
 47. The freeform selection tool in accordance with claim 45, in which the encounter selection module includes a union selection mode for a union select mode operable to select the plurality of graphical objects on said display surface with a plurality of freeform selection paths.
 48. The freeform selection tool in accordance with claim 45, in which the encounter selection module includes a property detection mode for selecting a plurality of graphical objects responsive to a predetermined property value of said graphical objects.
 49. The freeform selection tool in accordance with claim 46, in which the semantic ink structure is at least one of an ink word and an ink paragraph.
 50. The freeform selection tool in accordance with claim 45, in which the user interface module displays a graphical handle at opposing ends of the freeform selection path.
 51. A method of selecting a plurality of graphical objects in a computer system, comprising the steps of: receiving user input for displaying a selection of the plurality graphical objects based upon a plurality of freeform selection paths being unconnected in which each selection path includes a first end and a second end, and the ends are at different locations on a display surface, and selecting the plurality of graphical objects responsive to an encounter with the freeform selection paths, wherein the graphical objects are selected from the different freeform selection paths.
 52. The method in accordance with claim 51, in which the plurality of graphical objects are ink objects and the plurality of selection paths are selection ink.
 53. The method in accordance with claim 51, in which the plurality of graphical objects includes ink objects and non-ink objects and the plurality of selection paths are selection ink.
 54. The method in accordance with claim 53, further including a step of classifying the ink object into a semantical structure for selection. 